Winners rationale

After a lacklustre 2016 for markets, 2017’s record-low volatility rally buoyed virtually all asset classes and proved beneficial for the broader asset management industry. This was also the case at Asia’s private banks where numerous fund distributors broke net inflow records through a plethora of vehicles across asset classes.

A rising tide that lifts all boats is especially beneficial for owners of many vessels. Few in the industry could boast a wider product range than BlackRock. Which, in 2017, was particularly apt at capitalising on the Asian HNWI’s bias for local assets.

In a blockbuster year for equities, BlackRock managed to win the trust of local gatekeepers as a leader in the asset class, securing the award for Best Fund Provider – Asia ex-Japan Equity.

A persistent chase for yield in a year where the macroeconomics were robust and central banks played their cards conservatively, also boded well for its capabilities in Asia bonds, where it was also chosen as the best provider for the asset class.

Within the passive space, BlackRock’s iShares is an undisputed champion of ETFs, both by asset size and product range, featuring heavily not only as a holding in discretionary mandates but also as a client-centric provider, developing bespoke fit-for-purpose solutions for private banks in Asia, where necessary.

A strong performance track record for Asian stock and bond management, unrivalled ETF capabilities and a deeply rooted client-centric approach to private banking fund distribution led to BlackRock winning the deserved title of Best Fund Provider – House of the Year.